Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAST) Files An 8-K Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On June 20, 2017, in connection with the offering by Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Carrols Restaurant Group”) of an aggregate principal amount of $50 million (which was upsized to an aggregate principal amount of $75 million) of 8.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Additional Notes”) to an Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of April 29, 2015 among Carrols Restaurant Group, as issuer, and the subsidiaries of Carrols Restaurant Group (the “Guarantors”), as guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (the “Trustee”), as trustee, Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors entered into a Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017 (the “Fifth Amendment”), with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and the lenders party thereto (individually, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”) as further described in “Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant” which is incorporated by reference in this Item 1.01.

On June 23, 2017, Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in connection with the sale of the Additional Notes. In general, the Registration Rights Agreement provides that Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors will agree to file, and cause to become effective within the time periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement, a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to an offer to holders of the Additional Notes to exchange the Additional Notes for an issue of notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with terms identical to the Additional Notes (the “Exchange Notes”) and Carrols Restaurant Group’s outstanding aggregate principal amount of $200 million of 8.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “Existing Notes” and together with the Additional Notes, the “Notes”). In general, under the Registration Rights Agreement, Carrols Restaurant Group will be required to file a registration statement for the Exchange Notes with the SEC within 180 days of June 23, 2017 and will be required to consummate the exchange of the Additional Notes for Exchange Notes within 270 days of June 23, 2017.

ITEM 2.03. CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT

The Additional Notes were issued to the Indenture. The Indenture provides that the Notes will mature on May 1, 2022 and will bear interest at the rate of 8.00% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, with the Additional Notes beginning to accrue interest on May 1, 2017. The entire principal amount of the Notes will be due and payable in full on the maturity date. The Indenture further provides that Carrols Restaurant Group may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time after May 1, 2018 at the redemption prices described therein. In addition, the Indenture also provides that Carrols Restaurant Group may redeem up to 35% of the Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before May 1, 2018. The Indenture also provides that Carrols Restaurant Group must offer to purchase the Notes if it sells certain of its assets or if specific kinds of changes in control occur, all as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of Carrols Restaurant Group’s and the Guarantors’ assets (including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of the Guarantors) and are or will be guaranteed by each of Carrols Restaurant Group’s existing and future Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture). The Indenture contains certain covenants that limit the ability of Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors to, among other things: incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make certain other restricted payments or investments; sell assets; agree to payment restrictions affecting Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture); enter into transaction with affiliates; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all

of the assets. Such restrictions are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications all as set forth in the Indenture.

Carrols Restaurant Group used (or will use) the net proceeds of the offering and issuance of the Additional Notes (i) to repay outstanding revolving credit borrowings under Carrols Restaurant Group’s senior credit facility, (ii) to pay related fees and expenses and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for possible future acquisitions.

On June 20, 2017, Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors entered into the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment amends the Credit Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012 among the Company, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2014, the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Security Agreement dated as of April 29, 2015, the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 12, 2016 and the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2017 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Fifth Amendment permitted the issuance of the Additional Notes under the Credit Agreement.

About Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAST)
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company. The Company conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect subsidiaries. The Company operates in the hamburger category of the quick-service restaurant segment of the restaurant industry. The Company is a Burger King franchisee in the United States and operates its restaurants under the Burger King trade name. The Company owns and operates approximately 705 Burger King restaurants located in over 20 Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern states, such as Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Burger King restaurants feature the Whopper sandwich, as well as a range of hamburgers, chicken and other sandwiches, French fries, salads, breakfast items, hot dogs, snacks, smoothies, frappes and other offerings. Its subsidiaries include Carrols LLC and Carrols Corporation.